SOUP BOWL, Bathsheba, Barbados (Tuesday, November 6, 2018)– Opening day of the World Surf League (WSL) Men’s Qualifying Series (QS) Thomo QS 1,000 In Memory of Bill Thomson got underway in prime, three-to-five foot conditions. Soup Bowl delivered from the first horn to the last with only a few lull moments that competitors were still able to find scores on as Round 1 was completed in its entirety. Surfers met the conditions with power and finesse, showcasing what they can do on the world-class reefbreak. The Men and Women’s Live Like Zander Junior Pro was called off for the day and await their Round 1 start.

East Coast native Gabriel Morvil (USA) started the day off with a win over one of Soup Bowl’s elite surfers Josh Burke (BRB), also advancing, but it was Chauncey Robinson (USA) who set the scale in Round 1 Heat 5. Last year’s Thomo runner-up felt right at home as he belted numerous, critical sections to earn a near-perfect 9.17 (out of a possible 10) after already earning an 8.00 — accruing a 17.17 (out of a possible 20). Robinson hopes to finish his year strong after a tough go in Maresias, Brazil, but put on a dominant display in his Soup Bowl debut.

“This is the best place in the world and my favorite competition of the year by a mile,” Robinson said. “It’s been a long wind up and the last month couldn’t have gone by faster. This may not be quite all-time for what Soup Bowl can do, but it’s so fun out there and I’m so glad Zander (Venezia) sent us some waves. I was a little sketched out just getting in so late and it normally takes a day to readjust, but I just woke up at 4:00am and got a freesurf in to get the legs working again and back in rhythm which ended up working out.”

Kevin Schulz (USA) has a tall order if he’s to take the North America QS Title at this event, needing a Finals appearance, but came out firing in his debut. The San Clemente, California, native continues to put nerves aside and deliver when needed — putting his powerful backhand on display along with an explosive forehand air-reverse to garner a 14.03 heat total.

“It’s the best ever when you come here and there’s pumping waves, you couldn’t really ask for a lot more,” Schulz said. “This is about as good as it gets and I feel like I never really get to open up on my backhand. I surf Lowers a lot but it’s always so crowded. To come here and be able to let loose is great, and I feel like I have a lot left in the tank. I have a big job to do and I actually don’t get too nervous before heats now after doing so many so I’ve learned to go out there, freesurf and hope it gets the job done.”

A battle ensued in Round 1 Heat 12 as Elishama Beckford (JAM) went back-and-forth with one of North America’s top threats Cole Houshmand (USA). Beckford held the lead over Houshmand heading into the final seconds before the Californian found one last opportunity to capitalize on. But, the Jamaican did his share of head turning and made his first-ever QS heat count.

“The conditions cleaned up so nicely and even though it was a slow start, the waves definitely picked up in the end,” Beckford said. “Cole (Houshmand) is my teammate, we both ride for Hayden Shapes, so it’s super cool to be here next door in Barbados and compete against him and some great people in this contest. This is only my second time here, but I’m just excited to have three other guys out at a wave like this with good weather and good people — what else could you ask for.”

Houshmand is joined by fellow men’s 2018 ISA World Junior teammates Jett Schilling (USA), also advancing into Round 2, and the day’s final heat winner Kade Matson (USA). Matson took on a hefty Caribbean affair including Barbados’ Dane and Bruce Mackie, alongside Jamaica’s Icah Wilmont, but managed to rally in the final minutes for a big heat win along with runner-up Dane..

For Mackie, it’s been a year of growth away from the jersey, but revels in the task at hand of keeping the Thomo title on home soil along with the Independence Pro returning alongside the WSL events.

“I love surfing the QS events at home and having all of them in one weekend like this is amazing,” Mackie said. “It’s almost like a bonus chance for someone who didn’t do well in the WSL event to get some more waves. That heat with my brother (Bruce) was really close and everyone was ripping so I’m bummed for him not to make it through. I’ve been trying to balance work and surfing to prepare for our events in the spring and that will help decide what I do next year. But, I’ve been spending the last week here to prepare for this event.”

A 7:30 a.m. call will determine an 8:00 a.m. start for either Round 2 of the Thomo QS 1,000 Round 2 or opening day of the Live Like Zander Junior Pro.

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About WSL
The World Surf League (WSL) is dedicated to celebrating the world’s best surfing on the world’s best waves through a variety of best-in-class audience platforms. The organization, headquartered in Santa Monica, is a global sport with regional offices in Australasia, Africa, North America, South America, Hawaii, Japan and Europe.The WSL has been championing the world’s best surfing since 1976, annually running more than 180 global events across the Men’s and Women’s Championship Tours, the Big Wave Tour, Qualifying Series, Junior and Longboard Championships, as well as the WSL Big Wave Awards. The League possesses a deep appreciation for the sport’s rich heritage while promoting progression, innovation and performance at the highest levels, and in doing so crowns the undisputed Men’s and Women’s World Champions across all tours.

Showcasing the world’s best surfing on its digital platform at WorldSurfLeague.com, the WSL has a passionate global fan base with millions tuning in to see world-class athletes like Kelly Slater, Stephanie Gilmore, Tyler Wright, John Florence, Lakey Peterson, Paige Alms, Kai Lenny, Taylor Jensen, Honolua Blomfield, Carissa Moore, Gabriel Medina, Courtney Conlogue and more battle on the most dynamic field of play of any global sport.